In a shocking move Aston Martin has revealed that they are partnering with Toyota to produce an Aston version of the iQ micro car. The car will retail for around £20,000 (likely over $30,000 if it comes to the US) and will retain all the mechanicals and technical layout (including the unique 3+1 seating arrangement) of the iQ. It’s worth noting that Toyota plans to introduce the iQ in the US as a Scion in the next year.
The iQ has been praised for it’s engineering and efficiency but its driving dynamics leave a lot to be desired. It’s an interesting move to say the least – especially considering what the Aston Martin brand stands for in the world of luxury automakers. Full press release after the jump…
>Official Aston Martin Press Release: New Aston Martin “Cygnet” inspired by Toyota’s iQ Collaboration marks critical step in plans to expand ‘iQ world’
>Toyota’s revolutionary iQ platform is about to reset traditional thinking, with plans that the world’s
smallest four-seater will serve as the basis for a new luxury commuter car to be exclusively built for and sold to Aston Martin owners. Toyota Motor Europe (TME) today announced that the new “Cygnet” would pair Aston Martin’s trademark design flair with the Toyota iQ’s highly compact and low-CO2 city driving package. The commuter car will be tailored specifically to customer requirements at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, the United Kingdom.
>’It’s a great compliment that the Toyota iQ has been hand-picked by one of the world’s most prestigious sports car brands, a company with whom we also share a strong friendship. This collaboration represents a natural pairing of strategies: a small yet spacious package, perfect for the city driver, finished off with Aston Martin’s iconic design language,’ said Tadashi Arashima, CEO and President of TME. ‘The Cygnet is a good choice for the Aston Martin owner looking for that second or third car, which is luxurious and eco-conscious,’ he added.
>Although radically different in size and customer base, Aston Martin and Toyota are united in their corporate philosophies of delivering superior quality, engineering excellence and innovative technology. The collaboration is also fortunate to benefit from a strong relationship underlined by a passion for cars.
>The Toyota iQ is considered a breakthrough in intelligent design. Less than three metres in length, its flexible package can accommodate up to four people, providing owners with a new dimension of versatility. Featuring a range of design innovations – such as its flat under-floor fuel tank and asymmetric dashboard – the iQ is positioned as the “no compromise choice” with CO2 emissions starting as low as 99 g/km. It also offers outstanding levels of passive and active safety equipment resulting in a Euro NCAP 5-star rating.
>Despite tough market conditions for the automotive industry, the Toyota iQ has proved appealing to a wide variety of city drivers with a taste for style, driving performance and low CO2. The Toyota iQ made its European sales debut in January 2009. It continues to perform in line with expectation, with over 25,000 units sold to-date.
>The planned collaboration with Aston Martin is a timely endorsement of the iQ’s superior packaging. The announcement marks a critical step in Toyota’s longer-term planning to expand the ‘iQ world’ – that is, to bring new versions of the Toyota iQ to market globally and expand the company’s eco-friendly line-up.
<p>Umm, really?</p>
<p>HAAHAHAHAAAAAA Oh thats hilarious!!!</p>
<p>Interesting move, although I think Smart has more to fear this move than Mini does.</p>
<p>What next? a MINI by Rolls Royce?</p>
<p>Are you <em>sure</em> that this press release wasn’t issued 4/1? ;^)</p>
<p>On a more serious note, in looking at the UK IQ website, I didn’t see anything unusual about the seating arrangement — what makes it 3+1? Sure looks like the usual 2+2 to me.</p>
<p>Now here is more interesting news that should give Mini concern.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=151550" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=151550</a></p>
<p>A confirmation that the 500 is coming to the states, being built North America and will be badged as a Fiat. The 500 Abarth SS was basically built to fit the US market so betting we will see it soon.</p>
<p>I…uuh….
don’t know what to think?
some kind of sick joke?</p>
<p>The PR piece is not dated April 1st is it??</p>
<p>Wow and it is no where near April Fools Day.</p>
<blockquote>what makes it 3+1? Sure looks like the usual 2+2 to me</blockquote>
<p>They call it 3+1 because the configuration makes it difficult to fit an adult in the rear seat behind the driver.</p>
<p>Fifth Gear really likes it:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4HC6jtc5WY" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4HC6jtc5WY</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSB1nfX_3sU" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSB1nfX_3sU</a></p>
<p>Why does everybody here think it’s a joke?</p>
<p>What’s next? The Maybach fortwo? The Jaguar Nano? The Porsche Polo? The McLaren Robin? I understand that with the upcoming realities of future fossil fuel supplies and government regulations even the most rarefied of car companies are going to be looking for strategic partnerships to help meet environmental and fuel economy goals. What the manufacturers have to ask themselves is does this particular pairing help or hurt their brand image?</p>
<p>Love that Aston Martin grille on the iQ.</p>
<p>The iQ will attract many who love Minis….not all, but some. MINI driving dynamics are still unsurpassed, but at 30-40 mph I’m sure the iQ will be more than up to the task while offering superb mpg. It’s innovations are quite clever really.</p>
<p>I love MINI but I am not a fanboi. Other manufacturers have taken note of the MINI recipe and success formula. If MINI falls asleep at the wheel others will take advantage. In order for MINI to succeed they need to be 2 or 10 steps ahead of the game at all times. The segment is becoming more hotly contested and the days when MINI was the only game in town and the novelty to be see in are over.</p>
<p>Toyota iQ by Aston Martin, kinda like the old Isuzu “handling by Lotus” cars. How are they going to fit a V12 into that thing?</p>
<p>It’s the new most pointless car on the planet!</p>
<p>And bee1000, the only thing worse than the Isuzu cars with the ‘handling by Lotus’ badge were the Lotus cars with Isuzu on the valve covers.</p>
<p>This may be a case where MINI’s (and the Fiat 500’s for that matter) “iconic looks” may work against them to a degree. Having more design flexibility on exterior aerodynamics and interior packaging may well help produce a very fine microcar that “genetically” is just as Mini as anything we have seen. The iQ does seem to take the “wheels at the corner” thing to an intriguing extreme!! Now for a little suspension tuning, perhaps?? I remember many of us yearning for a smaller MINI. Would/could it look something like this, given such impressive safety ratings??</p>
<p>Ridiculous!</p>
<p>The news page on Aston Martin’s website seems a little less sure that this car will be produced. It actually uses the word, “concept” several times.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.astonmartin.com/thecompany/news?a=ee5fb483-3a1f-43c0-98f5-942854135911" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.astonmartin.com/thecompany/news?a=ee5fb483-3a1f-43c0-98f5-942854135911</a></p>
<p>I kind of dig this thing, though.</p>
<p>Scene from a future James Bond sequel…</p>
<p>007 and Q are in Q’s lab for the usual unveiling of 007’s car for his new mission. Q explains that due to budget cuts and the new austerity program implemented by the PM at Downing Street, his new car will the Aston Martin iQ by Toyota. Q has no sooner lifted the cover off Bond’s new ride as he shot between the eyes. The scene cuts to Bond stomping off muttering to himself that he had saved the world too many times to deserve this and that he wonders if Spectre is hiring.</p>
<p>on one hand, this is going to hilariously and shamelessly dilute the aston martin name.</p>
<p>on another, it gives aston martin access to a market segment it never had any reach into ever before.</p>
<p>my personal opinions are, let aston run the interior design team, and tune the suspension, because a best-selling aston martin has to handle like a true aston martin, and ought to feel like one on the inside. if that means ponying up a little bit more money to replace the 5-speed stick with a 6-speed sequential, and putting shift paddles that sit flush with the top of the steering wheel, so be it. if that means making the wheels a good 3 inches wider and stiffening the suspension, so be it. this car could sell really well if toyota and aston do it the right way, but if they botch it up, it’s going to be humiliating for both.</p>
<p>heck, if they do it the right way, i might even buy one as a weekend warrior, in a few years when they hit the used car market.</p>
<p>I agree with TSizemore. I could lose my aspiration for owning an Aston, which I have had since my first Aston, a Corgi from 1975, if they build the iQ.</p>
<p>If they didn’t sell it, but instead made it a $35,000 option package available on any other Aston Martin, I think it would be brilliant. It would maintain the prestige, as it would clearly say “my other car is a DBS, DB9, Vantage, etc.” while also communicating “and I understand that it’s not always responsible to drive it.” Brilliant.</p>
<p>Ah, I see, that’s exactly what they’re doing. It’s not about reaching a different market segment, it’s about giving existing clientele something that makes them feel good about themselves. Excellent idea.</p>
<p>Fantastic. Truly and sincerely, fantastic. Bravo to Aston. Probably one of the smartest things I’ve seen any luxury auto maker do in years.</p>
<p>Oh wow, I’m surprise Aston Martin is doing this too. I thought Rolce Royce is making one too.</p>
<p>I guess if every computer companies are going for netbooks, why can’t sports car makers make tiny cars… bring on the radical concept designs.</p>
<p>The iQ does not have a 3+1 seating arrangement. It is a standard 4 seat.</p>